| Ref: Drew
and Mark in the Canadian Rockies.
Approach notes: a bridge is out on the first section of Cataract Brook
Trail. It is possible to cross higher up; just past the 2 km sign on
the Lake O'Hara access road, the overgrown Wapta Road can be followed
down to a log crossing (old bridge). Cataract Brook Trail intersects
the road in less than a kilometer. We followed the trail to a treed rib,
452961 (before reaching a main drainage) and ascended the steep slopes
until bluffs guided us along climber's left, 444961. Eventually, we
found our way in a larch meadow high up above the drainage,
442960. |
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At the bluffs, we enjoyed the sunrise. |
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While climbing, we veer left of some bluffs to gain a shelf high above the drainage. |
| Alpine climb: RT 12.5; 7.0 up. Amazing,
incredible trip !!! After
timing our drive through the highway's nightly construction closures,
we got to the parking lot at 3:30 AM. It didn't start too well, posted
on the hiking sign is a notice: bridge out. Fab had noted
another way
on Google Earth, hurray Fab! The log crossing was interesting in the
dark and we didn't hike far enough up the road to find the trail.
Bushwhacking in wet alder ensued. It was hilarious on the way down to
see how close we where to the trail in some places. Nonetheless, after
a while, we stepped onto it and soon found ourselves leaving it to
start the steep climb in the light timbered slope. At the meadow, the
hiking is pleasant. Bedrock and waterfalls quickly come into view. As we
traversed towards the headwall, we noticed three people coming down.
They informed us about the great conditions up on the glacier. Indeed,
the ascent was straightforward and wonderful. As the valley fog lifted,
puffs of mist came up from the sheer sides of the mountain. Mounts
Victoria and Huber seemed permanently engulfed. At the top, the wind
was calm and the view spectacular even with the lifting clouds. After
staying for an hour, we reluctantly started heading down. |
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Larch is more prominent approaching the meadow. |
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Lovely landscape and great anticipation. |
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Cathedral Crags peers above the headwall. |
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We traverse towards the snow to go across the headwall. I'm on the lower right of the picture. |
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A nice cairn along the start of the traverse. |
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On the bedrock above the headwall. |
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We will soon rope up and put on the crampons. |
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Higher, the glacier is snow covered. |
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The toe of the glacier was bare ice and quite enjoyable. |
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The best view of Mount Balfour of the day. |
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The beautiful summit ridge. |
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The angle is not as steep as it appears from below. |
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Puffs of clouds add a special feel. |
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The last stretch of snow. |
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From the top of the snow it's a skip and a hop to the cairn. |
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The view remains spectacular despite the lifting clouds. |
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The summit cairn right next to the sheer west side. |
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Linda Lake at the foot of Odaray Mountain. |
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Self-timed picture, cheese! |
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Lake O'Hara on the lower left. |
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Another summit picture, looking south-east. |
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Mount Owen dominates the view south. |
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We got a glimpse at Victoria's south-west face and noticed tracks on the glacier. |
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I guess we should start down... |
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Did I mention how beautiful this place is? |
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The snowy ridge is magnificent. |
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Fab manages to find a crevasse. He said it was deep enough to stand in! |
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Barely hanging on. |
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Crossing "a-cheval". |
| Back to home page |
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